east village studio - rental of the week

Our Rental of the Week is an airy, sun-filled studio that feels très chic.

Aaahhh. This loft-like East Village studio has a very Parisian vibe, doesn’t it? Bright sunshine streams through the space, highlighting the elegant simplicity of classic prewar moldings, pale hardwoods, and whitewashed brick. And with the sleeping area separated from the living area by a wide doorway, it definitely feels more like a 1-bedroom than a studio. Combine all that with a fabulous price tag, and it’s no wonder this airy apartment is our Rental of the Week.

Address: 221 E. 5th St. #24

Price: $1,895 [Editor’s note: The price was raised to $1,995 after this story was originally published.]

Size: studio

Neighborhood: East Village

Best feature: The bright sunshine that pours through this East Village studio’s windows gives everything a cheerful glow. Two tall windows in the sleeping area bring in light that flows through the whole space, but there are additional windows in the living area and bathroom to keep it going. And the open doorway that separates the two spaces, framed in classic molding, creates the sense of a proper bedroom. It’s also located on a tree-lined, residential block that’s like a little oasis in the middle of this neighborhood’s near-constant action.

Why it’s a deal: The median asking rent in the East Village is $3,200, according to StreetEasy’s Data Dashboard. For a 1-bedroom in the neighborhood, the median is $2,650. That puts our Rental of the Week significantly below both averages.

Downtown Rentals Under $2,500 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Biggest drawback: As you may have guessed, this is a walkup. (Surprise!) And given that it’s #24 in a building with 24 units total, it seems to be a top-floor unit. In addition, the kitchen situation is a bit haphazard, with the fridge set a fair distance away from the cabinets, oven, and sink. But for the right tenant, this East Village studio’s location, sunshine, and European feel will be enough to forgive its flaws — especially at this price.

See the listing: 221 E. 5th St. #24, in the East Village. Listed by Alexander Mecum and Sylvia Madden at City Connections.


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